Electrical Enclosures & Junction Boxes
Essential components in protecting electrical and electronic systems, electrical enclosures and junction boxes exist in an variety of sizes and materials to safeguard sensitive devices from the environmental onslaught the many critical industries face. If you are in the oil and gas sector, for example, you know that enclosures and junction boxes are a good first line of defense for any high-risk, high-reward application.
Electrical junction boxes are a pivotal aspect of electrical connection systems. Their primary purpose is to house the electrical connections that are made between two or more wires. These boxes are particularly important for making the connections safe and accessible. Safety is the first consideration when we’re talking about junction boxes because thousands of connections are made inside these boxes. If the box is doing its job, these junctions should not be detectable from the outside of the box. In terms of access, two points are crucial: first, wiring should be easy to get into and out of the box, and second, maintaining, troubleshooting, or reconfiguring the wiring inside the box should be straightforward.
Hoffman Enclosures
Rittal Enclosures
Stahlin Enclosures
Allied Moulded Enclosures
Phoenix Contact Enclosures
Schneider Electric Enclosures
Killark Enclosures
Adalet Enclosures
More Information about Electrical Enclosures and Junction Boxes
Electrically, enclosures, and junction boxes are basic in protecting and organizing power distribution networks. They have features like removable panels, secure locking mechanisms, and flexible mounting options; all of which make them very versatile for a wide range of industrial applications. From large-scale systems in industry to compact installations in commercial buildings, these products are used everywhere to make power distribution networks safe and efficient. And because they come in a wide range of sizes and configurations, businesses can always find the enclosure or box that's ideal for protecting equipment, no matter where it may be.
Enclosure Selection Basics
Electrical enclosures are cabinets that are designed to house electrical components and electrical controls. Their main function is to protect the components, as well as to protect the operators from electrical hazards and ensure electrical safety. Enclosures are typically made of solid plastics, fiberglass, and metal materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, to provide robust protection for electronic controls and electronic equipment.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting an electrical enclosure is the NEMA rating. NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturer Association. They have developed a rating system which determines the types of environments an electrical enclosure can be used in.
NEMA 1 and a NEMA 12 enclosures
Both of these enclosures are intended for indoor use only. They are both dust resistant. The NEMA 12 enclosure is rated for damp environments. The NEMA 1 is rated only for dry environments.
NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures
Both of these enclosures can be used indoors as well as outdoors. They are both dust resistant. They are also water resistant and corrosion resistant. NEMA 4X has an extra layer of corrosion resistance.
NEMA 7 enclosures
This is a more specific type of enclosure that is rated for use in hazardous environments. It is rated to contain an explosion within the enclosure and not cause any sort of external hazard.
Size
When selecting the size of an enclosure, it is important to consider the following: how much space will the electrical components occupy, how much space is needed around each component, is there enough room to run all of the wires and how much space is needed outside of the enclosure?
Temperature
When selecting an enclosure, it is important to consider both the ambient temperature and the temperature that is generated inside of the enclosure. When an enclosure is located outside in direct sunlight, that heat can be transferred inside the enclosure. Also, each component inside of the enclosure generates a certain amount of heat.